The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-25
liYOR HHWITI'S LETTER
GryfNa THE EXTRACT SUP
PRESSED AT TIE BANQUET
Because II Was Believed 10 Be q
Reflection Upon Governor
~ -. Will, Of New York.

NKW YoRK, February "A Mayor
Hewitt today furnished to the prets
copies OF the letter which he sent TO
the Young Mems Democratic Club, Of
Brooklyn, but which was suppressed
and not read with the other letters Of
regret at the club banquet on the
night OF Wsshington's birthday, it Is
alleged, ON the ground that passage
In II was intended as re Fiction on
Gov. Hill. In giving the letter out,
Mr.. Hewitt said he was sure that the
entire responsibility for the suppress
sion OF the letter, which the commit ee
had ordered read aud given 10 the
press, lay with President Lee, Of the
club, The letter is dated February
l4th. 1t opens with an scknowledg-
ment OF the receipt Of an invitation to
attend the banquet; regrets that his
sickness will prevent him from doing
30, and wishes the club success in its
aim--"the promotion Of the Union
and the euccess Il the National De-
mosIacy. He then takes up the labor
question a. q new force which has
suddenly appeared in politics and
which is putting the principles
OF tbs party on trial and will destroy
II, unless boldly confronted, and
declares that the party has alwas held
the principle OF the personal liberty OF
the ciixsD, including the right to la
Dor when and where he likes. The
letter then says: within the last q We
years, however, secret organic ition
has been growing In strength aud
power which seeks to enslave the
labor OF this county and mske 1t
subject to the irresponsible DONNA
ton OF men unknown 10 the people,
who are not officers chosen by the
people, and who are NOT creatures OF
law, responsible to free public opinion
and to the constituted authorities for
their action. Gradually the leaders a
this body have succeeded In stamping
out all personal independe on the
part OF large number OF workmen
OF the country by refusing to permit
any persons 10 earn a living who are
not afR lated with this secret or.
ganlZat.on. In this way the
workmen have been coerced into
blind obedience to irresponsible row
or, and the condition OF those who
have tried to remain outside Of the or
ganiEation is In many cases truly pitt
able. They are called by opprob,ious
names, are hunted down from shop to
shop and denied employment on the
fearful penalty OF stopping all work,
however pressing and important. This
Is tyranny against which the Demo-
cratic party has ever struggled, and
which IL must now confront and de-
nounce in no mistaken tones
II ia tue that Democrats holding high
petitions hdN oOguttied Nth this nev and
dangerous element in politics, and epen at
tainsd office by submitting to the humilia.
hon Of an apparent i1dosemsnt of the
tdtse and dangerous aootrints which haze
ben put ~ practice at such fearful cost
N oar own midst wittin The present month
kaleS NE Democratic patty haR, and
Gionce, absoltdely disown and condemn all
organizations which seet 10 place the indi-
yidual under any other control than that
Of he tdws and deprive he citizen OF his
right Of free action, IL wiu perish, as Il
ought TO-; and I desire on this occasion 10
smphdsise this issue az oqe 10 which you
and your Jtllo'D members shan direct your
attention, IN The hops that The neat State
Convention and The neri National Conen.
ION piN condemn, az Washington con.
dcs,ned, all secyei organizations Which Un.
dvtae TO Gsurp ths functions Of he idW
and destroy The free agency Of the citizen.
l have the honor to be, very respect
fullV AURAM n HEWITT